1988 300TE - E-Brake Foot Pedal Does Not Retract Fully
 

Is there a simple fix for an E-Brake foot pedal not retracting fully, and hanging in such a manner that the "Brake" light stays on after brake is released? Pedal can be pulled back slightly to make the light go off. I'm assuming there is a spring up inside that I can't see. Any suggestions?

There is a 15 year old service bulletin on that problem, requires replacement of the front section of the parking brake cable!
The W124 & W126 chassis from 1986 thru 1989 were affected.

Been there, done that...

Try this: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=74420

Honestly think these can be 'lubed' back to life. Not in my post, but I squirted some ATF down the old one until it ran out the other side as an experiment, and it freed up nicely.

The early cables had an inner-liner that would stick to the sliding cable, the modified cables used "teflon" coated inner-liners. LUBEing the old one shouldn't make a difference as the liner remains stuck to the cable.

Nice job on instructions "csnow"!! How long did it take you to install the cable?

Thanks. If you don't mind another question, are there any special tricks in getting the old cable out and putting the new one in, or is it rather obvious once the kick panel is removed?

Doc,
It probably took 2 hours in all, but I already had the center console out to repair my manual shifter mechanism.

Also, I saved time by not removing the center exhaust or heat shield, so I 'cheated' there too...

What is the 'book time' on this one?